City of Edinburgh Council strikes HR outsourcing deal with BT

The project is set to save the council £12 million by 2016 and will streamline its core HR processes, ranging from recruitment, health and safety and absence management. It is expected to be rolled out by December.

The self-service system will enable staff to update their personal details, book leave and training courses, check policies on items such as maternity leave and complete self-certification for sick leave.

Councillor Donald Wilson, executive member for the council’s IT division, Smart City, said: “Investment in ICT helps us drive improved customer services and efficiency. Projects such as e-HR are about giving our staff the best tools for the job. As one of the city’s largest employers with over 17,000 staff in many locations across the city, this system will streamline the way we run our business.”

Andrew Unsworth, the council’s head of e-government, said the project would introduce a more efficient and staff-responsive self-service function. He said: “We are transforming our HR service and introducing new management practices on the back of the IT system. Savings will be realised because there will not be as many paper forms circulating between offices, and less paper chasing.”